7 Estheticians Reveal The One Skin Care Rule They'll Never Break

So many skin care rules promise to deliver healthier looking skin. And while some do pack major benefits, there are others that seem to be a waste of time for the girl-on-the-go. That's why we reached out to seven estheticians to find out which rules are the most important to them.

1. Cleanse twice a day.

"The most important skin care rule is very simple: It is the daily cleaning and moisturizing of the skin," Cristina Turtu of W Amsterdam’s AWAY Spa tells SELF. She says that your routine should be executed twice a day for best results. That's because your skin can get grubby overnight, and debris in the atmosphere can clog pores during the day. "Besides that, makeup influences the condition of the skin too, so it’s very important to remove all of your makeup every evening," says Turtu. And don't forget to double up on moisturizing as well. "By following this rule, you will notice that your skin is healthier, cleaner, and that it will look better."

2. No matter what, never skip sunscreen.

"You have to wear sunscreen," Christina Carrano of Heyday tells SELF. "The sun is quite literally the most damaging thing to your skin cells. It causes pigmentation, wrinkles, dehydration—all the stuff people don't want to happen to our skin happens if you forego sunscreen." And it's the cause of an even bigger issue: Skin cancer. "One in five Americans will get some form of skin cancer in their life," says Carrano. "Those are pretty high odds." So find a great moisturizer with at least SPF 30 in it.

4. Use an exfoliant on your skin once a week.

"I firmly believe incorporating weekly exfoliation into your routine is a crucial skin care rule that shouldn’t be broken," says Heather Wilson of InstaNatural. In addition to affecting your appearance, exfoliation can also help improve what goes on beneath the surface. "Since our cell turnover rate naturally declines with age, we need to implement exfoliation methods to keep our skin renewal process strong," says Wilson. "This process is crucial to healthy skin because it keeps nutrients locked into your skin while defending it from external aggressors." And you can skip the gritty scrubs that can sometimes be too abrasive, especially on sensitive skin. "I prefer a chemical form of exfoliation because it gently dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells onto the surface," says Wilson.

5. Don't be afraid to dermaplane.

"I always dermaplane every 2-3 weeks," Kerry Benjamin of Stacked Skincare tells SELF. For those of you who aren't familiar with dermaplaning, it's simply running a sharp blade over your face. "It maintains my skin's youthful, healthy and glowing complexion, and it allows for better product absorption." Another bonus of adding the technique to your regimen is that it nixes any peach fuzz. "Makeup goes on easier and products penetrate deeper," says Benjamin. The skin pro recommends following the method with your favorite serum or peel as the technique will help to maximize the benefits of the active ingredients.

6. Pamper your skin at night.

"Your skin is 60 percent more potent to absorb everything during your sleep thanks to the cell renewal time," Joanna Czech of Joanna Czech Dallas tells SELF. "Automatically, everything you apply will penetrate easier and the effects of your products will be more noticeable." So if you're like me and enjoy hitting the snooze button a couple of times, that should make you feel better. "Morning and evening skin care are both important, but if you are rushing in the morning, you may not be giving your skin the proper treatment and results it deserves from your products," says Czech.

7. And don't forget to mix things up.

"A proper skin care regimen that changes with your skin concerns and seasons is essential," Margo Falevich of Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa tells SELF. "Even though we look in the mirror every day, it is important to be aware of your skin concerns whether it is hormonal, environmental, or triggered by something else." Being aware of all of these conditions will help prevent any major skin problems. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and the same applies to your scalp and hair," says Falevich.